Multi-Agency U.S.-Mexico Border Project to Reduce Crime and Violence in California

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 1, Institute for Public Strategies will use the FY 2009 Recovery Act Byrne Competitive funds for a Multi-Agency U.S.- Mexico Border Project to Reduce Crime and Violence in California project. The goal of the project is to reduce crime and violence along the U.S.-Mexico border in California by facilitating cross-agency information sharing and collaboration and by engaging the support and participation of community members in implementing crime prevention programs. Under the grant funds, the grantee will: (1) fill new positions with experienced (retired or recently released) law enforcement, community-oriented policing experts and other individuals; (2) establish Border Violence Reduction Council (BVRC) comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, community groups, and other agencies involved in addressing crime in the Border region; (3) establish crime and drug-related Nuisance Abatement process in a minimum of 6 communities; (4) establish Border Gang Reduction and Auto Theft task forces as subcommittees of BVRC that will share information, operational strategies and leverage resources to address auto theft in border region; (5) reactivate the ACTION Network to focus on the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in the border area; and, (6) use media advocacy to generate high visibility law enforcement.

CA/NCF